CNM Governing Board to Take New Shape

Voters in the CNM District elected two new CNM Governing Board members who will be sworn in at the Governing Board meeting on March 12.

Five Governing Board seats were up for election on Feb. 5, but only two were contested seats. In District 1, Pauline J. Garcia won the seat with 39 percent of the vote, beating out Dan Serrano (33 percent) and Marjorie T. Germain (28 percent). She will serve a four-year term.

In District 2, Robert P. Matteucci Jr. won the seat with 73 percent of the vote – Ernest W. Sturdevant finished with 27 percent. He will serve a two-year term to complete a previously unfinished term that began in 2011.

Pauline J. Garcia is a retired manager, instructor and customer service specialist with Qwest, PNM, Paychex and Gas Company of New Mexico. She also served on the CNM Governing Board for one term that began in 1997.

Ms. Garcia’s community involvement includes: Pastoral Council at St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church; tutor for Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Albuquerque Reads; volunteer builder for Albuquerque Habitat for Humanity; docent for Albuquerque Museum, Casa San Ysidro; former Albuquerque Public Schools Board member, serving two terms that began in 1986; former CNM Governing Board member, serving one term that began in 1997.

“I have been a long time supporter of public education. My proudest accomplishment in my prior term on the (CNM) Governing Board was the building of the Westside Campus. The programs are dynamic and as diverse as the community CNM serves. I welcome the opportunity to participate again. My knowledge and experience in policy making will be an asset to the Board. I understand clearly the relationship between CNM and the Legislature. I am confident that I would bring positive leadership to the Governing Board.

Robert P. Matteucci, Jr., the son of longtime CNM Governing Board Robert P. Matteucci, is a family law attorney. Mr. Matteucci was also the founder and owner of local retail store Shoes on a Shoestring from 1990 to 2003. He was general manager of Paris Shoes, Matteucci Florsheim and Shoe Circus from 1985-90.

Mr. Matteucci’s community involvement includes: Law-la-palooza volunteer in 2012, providing free legal advice to low-income individuals in Albuquerque community that needed guidance on family law matters; member of International Academy of Collaborative Professionals; member of New Mexico Collaborative Practice Group; member of American Bar Association; member of Albuquerque Bar Association; free representation to low-income individuals in need of representation for family law matters; elected American Bar Association representative by University of New Mexico School of Law student body in 2007; member of Albuquerque Public Schools Drop Back In Advisory Committee (1998-2003) as part of effort to reintegrate high-risk students back into school; member of National Shoe Retailers Association (1990-2003); founder of NAOT/Shoes on a Shoestring event for Healthcare for the Homeless (1999-2006); founder of Suitable for Success/Shoes on a Shoestring Clothing and Shoe Drive to benefit incarcerated females who had been recently released (1996-2003); appointed to local 7-station Citadel Radio Broadcast Network Advisory Board (1997-2000); elected to Winrock Regional Mall Merchants Association Committee (1991-95); appointed to City of Albuquerque Downtown Corridor Revenues Committee (1987-90).“Over the years, CNM has performed an invaluable service for the citizens of Albuquerque and the surrounding communities. I want to make sure CNM continues to provide people in this community a great education for an affordable price. I was born and raised in central New Mexico and I understand the problems we have had over the years attracting employers that offer good-paying jobs. When CNM produces an educated and talented workforce, employers benefit and so does New Mexico. A key element to achieve this is to retain the outstanding teachers already working at CNM and attract new great teachers who will want to teach at CNM for a long time. I want to help make this happen.”